“My message to Labour, who were part of Saturday’s march and encouraged people to join it, since sadly this does not appear to be obvious, is that you cannot preach about ‘gentler politics’ and allow someone to leave a coffin at my door."

Ms Wollaston received the backing of Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, who said the Health committee chair “fights tirelessly for NHS and Social Care”, urging her detractors to instead “go canvassing”.

The group, Save Our Hospital Services are reported to have left the coffin outside Dr Wollaston’s office in Totnes, which read: “Government health and social care spending cuts have been linked to 120,000 unnecessary deaths.”

The march's organiser, Helen Beetham, however defended the coffin as having “been used in many demos in Totnes”.

Memo to @BenPBradshaw here's the 'coffin' left outside the Conservative party HQ in Totnes on Saturday. Are you saying this deserves comparison with the killing of Jo Cox? pic.twitter.com/EenjEaRatt

Contributions from readers

das.datics_32011

09:03 on 7th December 2017

Dear Sarah,
Some people are so insensitive, their sarcastic demonstration proves that some may have their priorities wrong.
However, can you please let me know why you think the state should not intervene when thousands of unemployed and their children are starving to death?
And, do you understand that it is only the intervention of the food banks and charities that's prevented our hospitals getting overcrowded with malnourished people similar to an African famine or war?
And, may I enquire as to why you think it is unjust to indite the Tory leadership for conspiracy to commit attempted murder of thousands of unemployed and their children by starvation?